Jeremy Cote's Bio

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

have used this bivy many times and have had zero issues with the product. The construction is top notch and I'm not worried about damaging the bivy in the field and I'm extremely hard on gear. This bag might be overkill for summer or even the fall, where one could get by with a lighter, smaller sized bivy, such as the OR Alpine, but for winter camping, overnights, or multi-climbing, this bivy is hard to beat. A couple features that make this bivy ideal for sub-zero winter camping are the following:

* A very generous overall cut, which accommodates high loft sleeping bags. I use mine with a WM Puma -25 bag and still have plenty of room inside. I also use two pads, a Thermarest Prolite Plus size large, situated on top of a small Z-Lite pad for extra warmth on my torso. The two pad setup lifts you off the ground several inches, pushing your head and face closer to the top of the bivy. But with the Advanced Bivy, I still feel like there is ample headroom.

* The integrated foot box vent allows for even greater air circulation, which helps cut down on condensation. I never close this vent and have never had a problem with the elements getting into the bag, or wetting my sleeping bag.

* The guy points on the top of the bag allow for various stakeout positions depending on conditions. With heavy to moderate snowfall I will stake these out in order to prevent sagging. If you experiment with this you will see that some configurations will give you even more headroom inside, as the tension on the main pole can be controlled given the direction of the guy lines etc. I have guyed this out with one piece of cord from the middle hood loop straight up to a tree branch and that seemed to really provide a lot of strength to the hood area. When doing this it's good to stake out at least 2 of the underside loops on the head side of the bag. I don't usually stake out the loops at the foot of the bag.

Many people find the zippers in this bag difficult to manipulate, but you need to practice using the bag to easily and quickly manipulate opening and closing it, especially in cold weather. I have seen some reviewers erroneously claim you have to unsnap the pole in order to close it tight--this is not true, as the zipper pulls must be passed around the pole fro inside the bag, a relatively simple thing to do. This is the only aspect of the opening and closing of the bag, that can be cumbersome if you haven't practiced doing it.

Condensation has not been too much of an issue. The times when I had frost form inside the bag in sub zero temps, I was either drying a lot of gear inside the bivy and/or, had the bag fully zipped, which is really not good to do with any bivy.

One thing I have noticed is that in very cold weather, the shock cord on the poles, becomes limp and looses it's elasticity, which can make putting the pole together a pain.

For packing purposes I leave the stuff sack the bivy comes with at home, as it is too tight to use in the field in freezing conditions. Instead, I use a 9.0L, medium size ultra-sil stuff sack, which allows me to roll the bivy and poles up and easily get it into the bag. The last thing you want to do when breaking down camp or setting up, is to struggle with stuff sacks. Inside my pack it compresses down anyways, plus the ultra sil is lighter.

For sizing, I'm 6'2" with very wide shoulders and again, this bag fits me, two pads, a high loft bag, along with enough room on the sides to put jackets or other gear. In my usage I will usually put my inner boot liners inside a stuff sack and use that as a pillow along with a light jacket, or it will go inside my bag.

I give this bivy a 10/10, and would recommend it without hesitation.

* The pic shows snow inside the bivy and on my bag, but that all happened after I opened it up and a gust of wind blew spindrift everywhere.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

These gloves make me want to do a hulk fist smash. They are beefy and feel indestructible. The stiching and quality of overall construction are top notch. The attention to detail in the gloves features does not go unnoticed. The shells themselves are completely waterproof and the liner will shed water to some extent. I use these ice fishing in sub zero temps and have been impressed with how they have held up and how warm they are. I'm constantly taking at least one glove off fully to deal with lines, hooks, fish, etc., and while mittens would be ideal for this situation, these gloves have worked very well. I have no problem getting in and out of them, the only exception being if my hands are wet--I use a microfiber towel to dry my hands off a lot. The gauntlets are awesome and super long, something that comes in handy when you are dealing with lot's of snow. The gauntlet drawstring works great too, loosening it is as simple as grabbing the pull tab and giving it a yank. The Primaloft One insulated inners are very nice and in certain conditions I simply use them without the shells, and at other times, I will put on just the shell. It's like getting three pair of gloves. Dexterity is not the best with gloves this size, but they are not designed for fine motor skill type of actions. Overall I give them a solid thumbs up and five stars.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

These are not the top of the line mitts, but they are well made and work well for everyday tasks in the winter and are a good value for the price. I use these for shoveling snow, making snowmen, snowshoeing, hiking, and as backups when I go ice fishing. The shells have a nice gauntlet that keeps the snow out, while the inner fleece linings have some nice features, including the magnets to keep the thumb and finger flaps in place. They also have a hand warmer pocket, which I have used from time to time. I find the Venta membrane to work very well at keeping water out, but it certainly doesn't breath like Gore-Tex or other high end materials. I wouldn't take these on an expedition as your primary hand protection, but as backups they would work just fine. Overall, I really like these mitts and would buy them again.

This jacket is top notch. The overall construction and design is excellent. I have yet to test this jacket to its fullest so I will speak mainly to fit.

My specs are as follows: 6'1", 185 with long arms and broad shoulders and 45" chest. Neary all of my gear is XL, as I always have trouble with the shoulders and arm length of my upper body garments if I go with the L.

So with that in mind I originally ordered the Rab in XL, thinking that I would have plenty of room with the jacket to layer underneath. Once I got my gear, it was apparent that the XL was simply too small. The fit in the shoulders even with a light base layer shirt was pretty tight and the arms would ride up. I tried the XL with an Atom LT XL hoody underneath and I felt like a human sardine, unable to move my arms freely. The fit in the waist and stomach area was really good, but I sent it back and got the XXL.

The XXL fit perfectly, a little big with just a light layer on, but with my Atom LT it was nearly perfect. The arms were right where they should be and I had plenty of freedom of movement in the shoulders and upper back. The waist was a bit big and a little boxy looking, but that is a problem I have with nearly all my jackets given my V shape upper body. All in, the fit was exactly what I wanted in the XXL since I plan on using this primarily to layer over the Atom and a few other lighter layers when it is really cold out.

I then put the Atom LT on with the Endurance Neuitrino and topped it off with my Alpha SV shell and it was like a custom fitted winter layering system. I was able to even add the Atom SV to the mix and while the fit was a bit snug, it worked pretty well, not that I will need that many mid layers normally.

My overall take away is that the Rab jackets run 1/2 to a full size small relative to US sizing depending on your overall body type, so make sure you size up if you are at the limit of the stated sizing measurements and/or have broad shoulders/long arms.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

This seat is simply awesome. I originally bought this to use in my fishing kayak to provide a little more cushioning and it works perfect for that task. Little did I know that I would be taking this piece of gear with me everywhere and finding endless uses for it--in the car, camping, hiking, as a kneel-pad ice for fishing, as a pillow, backpack insert and on and on. It's rugged, takes a second to unfold and inflate and is feather light at 100 grams. One trick I use in my kayak chair is to put a 2"x 3" piece of medium duty adhesive velcro on the chair and the pad so it won't blow away. In fact, I just keep the velcro stuck on the pad all the time. I'm looking to get another one just for the heck of it, they are that useful.

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

These bibs will make you feel like a super hero. They simply deliver. These are going on sale now because Dead'Bird is coming out with an updated version in Fall 2013, which makes the current version a steal at these prices. Everyone knows what Goretex Pro is all about so let me give you a review of the fit.

I'm 6'1" 185 and wear XL in all Arc'Teryx jackets--for the pants I go XL long. I have very broad shouders and a 45" chest. I wear 36" waist and 35"/36" leg pants. For these bibs I went XL Long and the fit is tailored to perfection. I was concerned there might be too much dead space in the chest/stomach area of the bibs, but with the athletic fit stying that wasn't a problem. With a single light base layer on top the fit is roomy but not baggy. If I add another light layer it feels very comfortable, not too tight and not too loose. If I add the Atom LT under the bibs and base layers (probably not going to use them like that most days out) the fit is still near perfect. The stretch material in the torso area of the bibs really allows for you to put a few layers on under the bib, but it doesn't mean the fit is too baggy, with just a light base layer on.

I have plenty of room in the crotch while wearing tights and fleece pants and the leg length is pretty good with my boots on--maybe an inch too long. My advice is if you are 6' and over go with the Long option, you will appreciate this when your pants are clipped into your boots and you have to make high step maneuvers--you won't have any pulling or tightness in the crotch, which is how they should fit. When in doubt always size up on the pant lengths.

You will need to adjust the suspenders some to find the sweet spot, but once you get dialed in these should fit like a finely tailored suit.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

I have owned these snowshoes for several seasons and have worn them through all kinds of snow and ice conditions over every type of terrain imaginable and they have never failed me.

The quality and performance of the bindings alone are enough to forget looking at any other brand. With full expedition sized gloves on you can get in and out of these snowshoes with one hand in seconds. And once secure, the bindings simply DO NOT slip, yet can be loosened easily. The crampons will get you up and over pretty much anything except mybe a shear wall of ice and the aluminum frames are very rugged, if not down right bomb proof. I have worn these during winter fly fishing outings to remote locations while traversing across icy boulders and while wading rivers cobbled with rocky, stone laden bottoms without any bending or damage to the frames other than scratches. If these snowshoes can handle this kind of abuse they can handle pretty much anything.

I do not agree with the reviewer above that the bindings are too far forward, in fact, I think these snowshoes are near perfectly balanced and I have never had a problem in deeper, powder like conditions. They will kick up some snow, but only if you are on groomed and packed trails, in which case, these are probably overkill.

The only issue I have with these are that the heel bar is a pain to try and engage, especially with gloves on. It's not impossible to do, but just tough to get your finger under the bar to flip it up. To rectify this I put a paracord loop on the bar and now I can lift it easily with one hand. Once engaged, it makes uphill climbing a lot easier.

Overall, you will simply not regret purchasing these. I'm 185 pounds and got the 30's, but I will be picking up the 35's at some point, for deeper snow, or, when I'm carrying heavier than normal loads.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

What more can be said about this jacket? It is simply the best and worth every penny.

Let's get right to the sizing of this excellent piece of gear. This is an expedition fit jacket and is designed to go over multiple mid layers while still providing excellent freedom of movement. If you are only wearing a light base layer and a light mid layer this jacket will appear too big and too baggy. It is not designed to be worn as a generally purpose shell and if you don't plan on being out in the coldest and nastiest weather you should probably look at the Beta AR jacket or something else. You could size down smaller if you wanted, but you are really limiting the number of layers you can use with the jacket. In my opinion it is better to size up rather than down, for this reason.

I use the jacket with the Atom LT and Atom SV jackets, as a system, all are XL's and I'm 6'1 185 with very broad shoulders and long arms. With just a few light base layers and the Atom LT on the jacket fits loose and I need to really cinch it up at the waist and the torso. But when I put the Atom SV on over the Atom LT, the fit is perfect, and the jacket comforms nicely to the layering system. My advice is to stick with the same size for all the Dead'Bird jackets and mid layer pieces as they are designed and cut to work together like a system.

I will add that my Rab Endurance Neutrino fits under the Alpha SV like a glove. I'm a XXL in that jacket, given my long arms and shouders. I have excellent freedom of movement and no excess material in the Alpha SV with this system.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

I wear XL in all my Arc'Teryx gear. I'm 6'1" and about 188 lbs with very broad shoulders, a 45" chest and a 77" wingspan (the equivalent of a 6'4" person of average proportions) and the XL in the Atom SV fits perfectly. It is slightly big in the waist when I wear it alone with a light sweater or base layer, but that isn't really how I use it. The drawstring works great and allows for a nice snug fit at the waist when you want to keep the draft out.

This piece is used as part of my winter layering system. I use it with the Atom LT, also in XL and couldn't be happier. The LT gives you 60g of Coreloft and the SV provides 100g. When used together you get a 160g equivalent jacket with the added nylon layers for protection and total flexibility and portability for all conditions--just throw the SV in your pack and use it as needed over the LT or even over your LT+Shell combo.

If you are wondering whether to get one over the other, get the LT first if you plan on high output usage, then get the SV to go over it. These jackets are made to work together. Arc'teryx doesn't do a great job marketing their clothes in this way, but once you start putting these layers on in combination you see why they their products are superior.

Finally, the fit on the SV vs the LT is slightly longer in the front and roomier in the arms and shoulders, while the chest/stomach area is about the same.

My advice is that is you wear a Large in the Atom LT get the Large SV and vice-versa and pair these two with the same size shell as that is how they are cut and sized.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

I wear XL in all my Arc'Teryx gear. I'm 6'1" and about 188 lbs with very broad shoulders, a 45" chest and a 77" wingspan (the equivalent of a 6'4" person of average proportions) and the XL in the Atom LT fits very well. There is a little bit of excess room in the stomach and waist area but in the Large the arms were way too short for me and the shoulders and elbows were too tight. If you are of average build and my height with a normal wingspan (take 1.023 times your height in inches to see what the average is for your height) then a Large will probably work fine.

The fit is not real form fitting for me, but also not too baggy, a nice balance so that I can use the jacket with a thin base layer when running, or during high intensity activities, and also layer under it when temps dip or I'm not going to be as active.

I wear this under an Alpha SL in XL and it is great combo. I also use it as part of my winter system:

1. Base Layer (1 or 2) 2. Atom SL 3. Atom SV 4. Alpha SV

These jackets are in XL and when you put all three on you they fit like a glove.

In this photo it was about 0 degrees with the wind chill and with a full pack and pulling gear in the sled, I was getting too hot with this jacket and had to unzip it to dump heat. I only had a couple light wicking layers on underneath. This jacket simply delivers.

I'm very hard on my gear and am unwilling to baby anything I own. I have used it hiking, running, snowshoeing, around town, and as my go to jacket when fly fishing--it is during this activity that the Alpha SL gets put to the test, as I'm constantly bushwacking through all kinds of tough undergrowth, branches, prickers, thicket, etc., to get to secluded fishing holes, often when it is pouring since fish tend to be more active then. I have even taken spills on rocks and slid down gravel riverbanks and this jacket just laughs at it all.

I have never had a problem with breathability, or leakage, and the hood is real nice on windy days, once cinched properly.

I get full range of motion which is important for casting properly with a fly rod.

As for fit, I'm 6'1" about 188lbs with very broad shoulders, a 45" chest and a 77" wingspan (the equivalent of a 6'4" person of average proportions) so the XL works perfectly for me with plenty of room for layers without feeling too baggy. The Large fit well around the waist but was tight in the back and upper torso with layers on and the arms were a bit short. If you are of average build and my height with a normal wingspan (take 1.023 times your height in inches to see what the average is for your height) then a Large will probably work fine.

A note about layering: I also have the Atom LT hoody in XL and this shell is a perfect match for this jacket, giving you the perfect kit for 75% of your outdoor activities. The Atom SV will fit underneath, but it is a just little too snug in the shoulders and arms for me given that the Alpha SL is an Althetic cut.

You simply can't go wrong with this piece, it does exactly what its designed to do and is amazingly durable.